To the Editor:

Does this sound like someone we know? Could it be from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's desk?

  "It is a political principle of mine to make use of the wisdom of all the intermediate bodies - every time that they share my intentions and follow in my steps. But every time they introduce into their deliberations mere factionalism and turbulence, or projects that are contrary to those I may have meditated for the happiness and prosperity of my subjects, their efforts will be powerless. The entire blame will rest on them; and I, in spite of them, shall carry out all my designs and bring to a conclusion whatever operations I have deemed necessary to the functioning of my government...."

  It was written in a letter to the president of the legislative Body of the kingdom of Italy, 1805, by Napoleon Bonaparte. (from The Mind of Napoleon, edited by J. Christopher Herold, Columbia University Press, New York, N.Y. 1955.)

Food for thought.

Leslie-Elizabeth King

Thompson